Lukashenko orders to consider requirements for Belarusians having Pole's Card

The improvement of legislation on citizenship and possible amnesty on the eve of the National Unity Day. These topics were on the agenda of today's meeting at the Palace of Independence.

Nearly 14 thousand people have been granted Belarusian citizenship over the last five years. Each case is considered separately and closely. Most applicants are natives of the post-Soviet countries, but there are also natives of Asia, Europe and America.

Last August, the President ordered to speed up granting our citizenship to Ukrainians. Within a year about 5 thousand persons received a new status. Belarus is open to good and hardworking people, those who are ready to contribute to its development. But what about those who betrayed their country? Do those who act to the detriment of the state deserve to remain its citizens?

"As part of the prepared bill, we must look again at those who, having gone abroad, act to the detriment of the state and the people by committing crimes. Such people were identified, every last one of them. We know them. Are these people worthy to remain citizens of Belarus, if they ran away from their native country and actually severed ties with it? The question concerns the fact that many deputies and citizens raised the question: if they ran away and are criminals in fact, and continue their criminal activity, it was proposed to deprive them of citizenship. That's what we're talking about. So today we'll consider this version of the bill," explained the President.

According to him, it is also necessary to discuss the requirements for compatriots, who received a Pole’s Card and other similar documents. "We need to figure it out: either they are the citizens of Belarus, who just took this card by accident, or they have a different "orientation". I think there are other issues in the field of citizenship that are of concern for the internal affairs and the diplomatic service," said the head of state.

Who deserves amnesty?

Another issue of the meeting is amnesty. The President stressed that it's admissible only for those who really deserve it. The bandits and extremists are not in this list. But, according to Alexander Lukashenko, there are those convicted by accident, those who have committed crimes through negligence, as well as those who have committed minor crimes, including acts of protest. If they repented, they may be treated with leniency. At the same time, said the President, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will be personally responsible for those who will be amnestied.